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Calendar of Events

‘Hamlet’

Friday, March 10 (7-9 p.m.)

Lovett Auditorium

Kentucky Shakespeare traveling company will be performing “Hamlet”. Tickets for faculty, staff and students are $5 with an ID. All other tickets are $10.

Shakespeare Festival Psychology Panel Event

Thursday, March 9 (4-5 p.m.)

Waterfield Library

Multiple panelists will explore the central theme of “Hamlet”: grief. The event will be free and open to the public.

Cinema International

Thursday, March 9 (7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.)

Saturday, March 11 (7:30 p.m. - 10 p.m.)

Faculty Hall Room 208

Cinema International is hosting a showing of the Japenese film “Asako I & II”.

Hip Hop Shakespeare

Thursday, March 9 (5-6 p.m.)

Playhouse in the Park Annex

This acting workshop is presented by the Kentucky Shakespeare traveling company. It is free and recommended for ages 12+.

Guest Recital

Friday, March 10 (7:30 - 8:30 p.m.)

Performing Arts Hall

Christine Brewer, a Grammy Award-winning American soprano, will perform a NATS Guest Artist Recital.

Jazz Concert

Tuesday, March 14 (7:30-8:30 p.m. )

Lovett Auditorium

This concert will explore all types of jazz, including swing, Latin and rock styles.

Brummer Psychology Colloquium

Thursday, March 16 (5:30-6:30 p.m.)

Freed Curd Auditorium

Dr. Jessica Hartnett presents “Dirty Data: How Not to Be Manipulated by Questionable Data Techniques” in a free, public event.

Source: murraystate.edu/calendar

Willow Project throws environmental concerns out the window

Preview: women’s basketball preps for tourney

Wellness Center sponsors suicide prevention walk

Lawmakers target queer community

Dionte Berry Editor-in-Chief dberry11@murraystate.edu

Anti-queer legislation has been proposed across many GOP-led states, and Kentucky is not an exception. Around 10 bills have been proposed in the Kentucky legislature, which would inhibit the livelihoods of queer Kentuckians.

Protests in response to the bills have sprung up across the state. On Murray State grounds, students gathered in the free speech zone on Feb. 23 to protest the bills being proposed.

Organized by Murray State Planned Parent Generation Action President Julian Lamson, the protest served as an opportunity for

students to spread awareness about the anti-queer bills proposed and to write to Kentucky lawmakers.

“These bills are designed to discriminate against LGBT students, specifically trans students,” Lamson said. “LGBT+ individuals deserve the same rights as anyone else, and it’s up to us to fight for those rights. We can use our voices to make a change.”

Lamson highlighted the focus legislators have on transgender individuals. A large part of the anti-trans legislation proposed would affect minors and students in the classroom.

Bills specifically targeting the transgender community include: Senate Bills 102 and 150 and House Bills 30, 58, 120, 470 and 585.

SB 102 is a 27-page-long bill that would disallow K-12 students

to independently change their pronouns from those that correlate with their gender assigned at birth. The bill also prohibits teachers from respecting students’ privacy. Teachers will be required to tell students’ parents what the student requests regarding their pronouns. HB 173 echoes SB 102.

SB 150 already has passed in the Senate with a 29-6 vote. The bill gives teachers the choice of whether they want to use a student’s chosen pronouns or the pronouns that correlate to their gender assigned at birth.

see LEGISLATION, page 2

House bill addresses teacher shortages

Jill Smith Assistant News Editor jsmith194@murraystate.edu

As an effort to address the teaching shortage in Kentucky, lawmakers have introduced another bill aimed at attracting individuals to teach while working to improve the field for future educators.

House Bill 319, sponsored by Rep. James Tipton, R-Taylorsville, contains a list of solutions aimed at reducing the shortage in the state.

The Kentucky Department of Education reports approximately 1,700 job openings, with an average turnover rate of 17%.

These measures are being marketed as low-cost solutions in a non-budget year, according to KET.

Tipton said this bill would make it easier for individuals going into the teaching field to stay in the field.

This bill includes signing Kentucky onto a multistate compact, which will make it easier for out-of-state teachers to earn a license to teach in Kentucky.

The compact requires 10 states to sign on before it goes into effect, according to WKMS.

Dean of the College of Education and Human Services Dave Whaley said current regulations

e program is estimated to cost:

make it difficult for teachers to move across state lines to teach.

“Every state has its own ability to regulate education, so that’s why when they talk about interstate mobility of a teacher who’s endorsed, licensed or certified,” Whaley said. “You’re really crossing

of teachers quit teaching within the rst three years quit within the rst ve years

a boundary where that other state has its own set of regulations.”

Whaley said this compact will remove some of the red tape when it comes to teaching in another state.

‘Red Moon

Venus’ descends into love’s cosmicality

Dionte Berry/The News

Students gather in the Free Speech Zone outside the Curris Center to protest and bring awareness about proposed anti-queer bills in Kentucky.

Senate bill aims to ban ‘harmful’ books in schools

Ava Chuppe Senior Writer achuppe@murraystate.edu

Kentucky Senate Bill 5, which would mandate school districts have a process for parents to propose banning certain books and class materials, passed on Feb. 23 and is headed to the House.

Sen. Jason Howell (R-Calloway) filed the bill, which he said would allow parents “a voice when those items [books or materials] are in conflict with their families’ values and beliefs.”

The bill targets materials “harmful to minors,” particularly those with sexual content. It covers “unclothed human male or female genitals,” “visual depictions of sexual acts” and “explicit written descriptions of sexual acts” as content parents may rightfully deem obscene.

It also permits banning materials that “appeal to the prurient interest in sex” or are “patently offensive to prevailing standards regarding what is suitable for minors.”

Some legislators, like Sen. Lindsey Tichenor (R-Jefferson), supported the measure for “protect[ing] children.”

“When we are desensitizing children to sexual things and making this content available in schools, you’re opening the door to sexual abuse,” Tichenor said. “The parent might not feel the child is ready to see some of these things in a public school.”

Others, including Sen. Reggie Thomas (D-Fayette), criticized the bill on the ground of censorship.

“Make no mistake about Bill 5,” Thomas said. “We are continuing to go down the path now of banning books that we as a legislature say we don’t like.”

Paul Foote, associate professor of legal studies, said he believes the current process in schools is sufficient.

“Currently, if there’s a book or a film that may be of some violent or

SB 150 already has passed in the Senate with a 29-6 vote. The bill gives teachers the choice of whether they want to use a student’s chosen pronouns or the pronouns that correlate to their gender assigned at birth.

Parents also will have the ability to prohibit their students from mental and physical health services and will allow parents to prohibit their child from receiving sex education.

HB 30 would force students to use the bathroom and locker room facilities based on their birth gender, regardless of if the student still identifies as that gender.

Focusing on health care HB 58 would give physicians the choice to decline procedures that do not coincide with their “conscience” or religion. This bill can hinder trans individuals’ access to proper care, but it also can affect the broader queer community.

Under HB 120 individuals under the age of 18 would be prohibited from having access to gender-affirming care. For example, trans people would not have access to gender-affirming surgeries or hormone replacement therapy. The bill does not specify what will happen in regard to other HRT uses.

Reiterating the same ideas as HB 120, HB 470 threatens to revoke the license of any health providers that give gender-affirming care to minors.

Focusing on birth gender assignments, HB 585 is working to ensure that only “male” or “female” can be listed as a gender on a birth certificate.

Sophomore biology major Charlotte Saltsman is scared of what this

sexual nature or something, a parent can sign a form and then their child will sit outside the classroom,” Foote said. “There’s already a process in place…so to outwardly ban books and so on, I don’t think that’s really helpful to the educational process.”

However, Foote said the bill would not infringe on students’ constitutional rights.

“At the same time, these aren’t adults,” Foote said. “They’re children under parents’ authority, so I guess what they’re doing is deferring to the parents rather than surveying the child of their opinions. Their opinions are not equal to the parent yet because they’re under 18.”

Because teachers undergo vocational training, Foote said they should be able to teach what they deem appropriate for the curriculum.

“They should be able to have some free will choosing the books and documents or whatever, magazines that they want young people to read,” Foote said. “I think we have to trust that they’re professionals and that they’re not

legislation could mean for queer Kentuckians but was happy to see the student body come together and rally against lawmakers’ choices.

“The recent student rally was wonderful,” Saltsman said. “It showed me just how many supportive people we have on campus, with those that don’t outwardly present as queer, as well as allies showing up to support our cause. It reestablished part of my hope for our community and made me feel more like I belonged here.”

Saltsman says the proposed anti-queer legislation feels as if the GOP is trying to maintain some form of societal control.

“GOP lawmakers are targeting LGBTQ people, especially trans people, because they’re scared of losing their grip on how our society is run,” Saltsman said. “They also want a scapegoat to blame for problems that they’ve created, specifically relating to gun control and mental health.”

ideological…they’re really just trying to give them a balanced education.”

Foote said the bill likely stems from an effort to please Republican constituents concerned with school curricula.

“I think some of this is coming out of Gov. Ron DeSantis in Florida, how he’s really attacking or looking at the schools with a microscope,” Foote said. “I think that’s having an effect nationwide, and I think it’s affecting other red states…It might just continue down this line with other bills that are similar in Kentucky.”

The bill would only regulate K-12 schools. David Whaley, dean of the College of Education and Human Services, said the bill would indirectly affect students in the education field.

“What we’ll have to do is to make sure that…our students preparing to be teachers and administrator candidates all know about the specific rules that this bill operates under,” Whaley said.

Though he said he cannot speak to the future, Whaley acknowledged the

possibility of a similar bill applying to higher education in Kentucky.

“There has been an effort made by the state administration in Florida to influence the curriculum that’s being taught, especially around diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education,” Whaley said. “We would want to work carefully in partnership with any legislator that was interested in doing that to try to make sure that the legislator understands…how we are preparing our graduates to become effective teachers and administrators.”

Should the bill become law, Whaley said it will provide an opportunity for greater participation from parents in the K-12 school curriculum.

“In an ideal situation, we want parents to be good partners with our schools,” Whaley said. “We know that they [students] have a whole other life away from school, and what we want to do in our school settings is to establish partnerships with the parents or the guardians so we can deliver the best education during that fraction of time that we have the students on a daily basis.”

Beyond the trans community, Kentucky lawmakers have proposed SB 115 and HBs 177 and 204 that could affect the broader queer community.

SB 115 would limit the locations where drag shows could be performed. It would ensure they are over 1,000 feet away from any public schools, child care centers, parks and places of worship.

HB 177 focuses on schools by banning lessons and instruction

concerning gender identity, sexual orientation and sexual relationships before fifth grade and informing parents about students’ extracurricular activities, nicknames and pronoun changes.

HB 204 focuses on “restoring religious liberty” by allowing Kentuckians the right to sue when their religious rights are being burdened.

Pride Center Director Abigail Cox said she is concerned with the effects the laws could have on Murray State students.

“My concern is immediately for students and their sense of safety and support,” Cox said. “These decisions take a toll on our students mental health and well-being, and I want to find ways to show them they are supported and celebrated for their authentic selves here at Murray State.

I am sad that this is the focus of decision-makers when there is so much suffering that deserves our attention.”

Despite the overwhelming amount of legislation that could inhibit queer

livelihoods, bills have been proposed in support of queer Kentuckians. The Statewide Fairness Act would prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, gender and sexuality.

HB 162 focuses on protecting the mental health of minors by prohibiting the flow of public funds to organizations that focus on “sexual and gender identity change efforts,” also known as conversion therapy.

The 2023 Kentucky Legislative Session is set to end on March 30.

“After the rally, several student organizations gathered to learn more about how to contact legislators about these bills,” Cox said. “And as a group, they’ve taken the time to make those phone calls, send those emails.”

Information about Kentucky lawmakers, such as their mailing addresses and emails, can be found at legislature.ky.gov/findyourlegislator. District 1 and 5 legislators can be contacted at marybeth.imes@lrc. ky.gov and jason.howell@lrc.ky.gov.

Emma Fisher/The News

Students organize in the Free Speech Zone on Feb. 23 to protest proposed anti-queer legislation.

My concern is immediately for students and their sense of safety and support.

— Abigail Cox, Pride Center coordinator

Jill Smith/The News

Senate Bill 5 bans books that contains uncovered human genitals, visual and written depictions of sexual acts.

‘Red Moon in Venus’ descends into love’s cosmicality

Dionte Berry Editor-in-Chief dberry11@murraystate.edu

Basking in an ocean of passion and longing, Kali Uchis dives into the endlessness and ephemerality of love on her third album, “Red Moon in Venus.”

Uchis constructs an intersection between the ominous and dark symbol of a red moon and the planet of love, Venus, by telling a story about a love that is still burning in Uchis’ heart but is no longer a part of her life.

Karly-Marina Loaiza, professionally known as Kali Uchis, jumped into the music scene in 2012 with her mixtape “Drunken Babble,” which she made on the application GarageBand.

Loaiza continued her rise to popularity with her debut EP “Por Vida” in 2015, which cemented her voice in the music industry. It was also the beginning to some of her collaborations, such as with Tyler the Creator and KAYTRANADA, who did production work on the EP, and Loaiza went on to later make songs with.

Lyrics about love have always been on the tip of Loaiza’s tongue and often have a vindictive and confident tone. Gushing with her signature easy-flowing R&B and Neosoul sound, Loaiza sings about love through the lens of a cosmic essence.

The 15-track-long album starts with “in My Garden…,” a 25-second introduction with Loaiza’s voice like a foggy voicemail confessing her love. Backed by chimes and the hum of summertime insects that come alive at night, the song has a soft, outdoorsy touch to it.

“in My Garden…” blends right into “I Wish you Roses,” Loaiza’s lead single. Despite her lover drifting away, Loaiza isn’t bitter; she wants him to keep whatever love she gives.

Yet, Loaiza knows he won’t always be able to feel her love, so she wishes him roses for as long as he can smell them.

“I Wish you Roses” is tender and shows love as an everflowing stream. The song does not stray from Loaiza’s classic sound of layered vocals and relaxed synths with heartfelt focus.

“Worth the Wait” introduces Loaiza’s first feature on “Red Moon in Venus”: Mexican American R&B artist Omar Apollo. Loaiza and Omar Apollo have a public

“What this bill is doing is it’s trying to lower the boundaries or narrow the gap between one state’s regulations and another state’s regulations, which is a good thing, I think, but every state still has the right to have its own regulations and certifications,” Whaley said.

This bill would allow any classified staff, such as teachers aides, to teach uncertified and unsupervised in a classroom for the next three years.

Individuals will teach classes without going through a teacher preparation program. However, classified staff members are required to go through a background check and meet the school district’s requirements.

Teachers will be asked to complete exit interviews under this bill, which will be used by the Kentucky Department of Education for research purposes.

Whaley said these interviews will help the teacher shortage in the long run.

“When a teacher is ready to leave the profession, there would be an exit interview for that teacher, so what went right, what did not go well, listening to that individual, compiling that individual’s results and then better informing teacher preparation programs about things that are causing teachers to leave

“RED MOON IN VENUS”

ALBUM RELEASE DATE: Friday, March 3

RECORD LABEL: Geffen Records under UMG

FEATURE LIST: Omar Apollo, Don Toliver and Summer Walker

FAVORITE SONG: “Hasta Cuando”

friendship and both infuse their culture with their R&B sounds, so I was excited to hear them collaborate. But Omar Apollo got the same treatment Lana Del Rey got on Taylor Swift’s “Snow on the Beach.”

Omar Apollo’s vocals are present but in the background, overshadowed by Loaiza, and I wish he was stronger and more present in the song. Despite that little pinch of disappointment, “Worth the Wait,” is a solid song about a love they are willing to wait for. However, the song is only around 2 ½ minutes long, so they could’ve given Apollo a grander appearance in that unused time.

the teaching profession,” Whaley said.

“If we had a list of things that were getting in the way of teachers being successful, I think it could be helpful.”

While some individuals are leaving the teaching profession, Tipton said in a press release another factor to the shortage is a decline in individuals wanting to pursue a career in education.

“While some controversy exists over the actual number of open positions, there’s no denying that we need to do more to attract individuals to our classrooms,” Tipton said.

“HB 319 includes some common sense steps, targeting unnecessary and outdated regulatory requirements, streamlining the process for job searches and expanding eligibility and scholarship awards through the Teacher Scholarship Program.”

Whaley said the College of Education and Human Services recruits students throughout the state.

“I happen to sit on the board for the Western Kentucky Education Co Op, and the board is made up of superintendents from all of the school districts within our 18-county region,” Whaley said. “I give a report at all of their meetings about what we’re doing at Murray State University, and they tell me about how our students are doing, so I can then tell the faculty here

Loaiza dives into her selfish side on “All Mine,” wishing her lover didn’t even have a phone in order to hold all of his attention. Despite not being able to fully hold his attention, Loaiza is confident her lover won’t leave her for anyone else, and the other women trying to hold his gaze can’t compete.

American rapper Don Toliver opens “Fantasy” with a slow piano introduction that breaks into an Afrobeat rhythm. It’s great to see Toliver make an appearance on Loaiza’s album because the pair are romantic partners.

“Fantasy” flows at a faster pace than the other tracks. Loaiza sings

about having a lover devoted to her, which would fulfill her fantasy.

The song ends abruptly when the music halts, and Loaiza says, “That’s it. That’s the end of the song. Come on, baby, let’s go home,” and listeners can hear her heels clacking away.

“Hasta Cuando,” a Spanish-dominant track, which translates to “until when,” is largely beat driven. Instead of singing as her passionate lover persona, Loaiza finds her vindictive tone in the bridge with the lyric, “Whatever makes you feel better. Paint me as the villain if that makes you feel better.”

Loaiza sounds so calm and confident. She knows despite being occupied with other women and saying negative things about her, her former lover still subconsciously thirsts after her.

“Moonlight” has a laid-back funk twang to it. Loaiza illustrates a picture of her and her lover finding each other after a stressful day, taking advantage of the night time to unwind and get high together.

“Happy Now” ends the album. After a culmination of passionate confessions and bitter retorts, Loaiza asks herself and her lover if they can be happy now.

The song starts with a ‘70s pop groove, and Loaiza sings about the stars conspiring against her and her lover’s compatibility. Despite their chemistry, the relationship has not been smooth sailing.

The tail end of the song slows down, and Loaiza sings about focusing on those good moments, referring to them as “rainbows.”

Loaiza’s sultry voice and aesthetic pulls listeners into this world where love feels absolute and cosmically written. “Red Moon in Venus” maintains a calm, soothing tone throughout its duration, although Loaiza sings about topics that could send someone into a rage.

With love as a motif, I wish Loaiza exhibited more varied moods surrounding it. I wish she gave listeners more of the bitterness she displayed on “Hasta Cuando” because it made for such a memorable lyric moment.

A majority of Loaiza’s projects have a calmer sound, so I’d love to hear her explore a broader range of emotive expressions.

“Red Moon in Venus” is a great third album for Loaiza and deserves a seven out of 10.

Loaiza is like no other artist, and I hope she continues to expand and experiment with her sound.

what we’re doing right, what we need, areas that we perhaps need to enhance.”

This bill also calls for the expansion of the GoTeachKy program to all school districts. This program recruits high school students to become teachers, according to the GoTeachKy.com.

It aims to create another alternative certification program. This proposed program would provide a one-year interim teaching certificate for individuals with a bachelor’s degree, in addition to four years of experience in the area in which certification is sought.

Whaley said this is a good resource for addressing the teacher shortage.

“It provides for greater communication between states around teacher

preparation,” Whaley said. “It provides school districts with the opportunity of taking some of the best classified staff members they had and putting them into classes so they can teach unsupervised, which only two certified teachers can do now, and it provides opportunities for students that come through that meet these qualifications to be ready to take on a teaching position immediately.”

This measure would cost Kentucky approximately $750,000 in its first year and $250,000 every year after, according to WKMS.

HB 319 is currently up for consideration with the House Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue.

Album cover courtesy of kaliuchis.com

‘Red Moon in Venus’ released on Friday, March 3 under Geffen Records.

Dionte Berry/The News

Kentucky faces a teacher shortage because of teachers quitting and students choosing other degrees.

from TEACHER SHORTAGES, page 1

Our view:

Willow Project throws environmental concerns out the window

The United States is the second-largest producer of carbon emissions, and it will only get worse from here.

The Willow Project, introduced by ConocoPhillips, Alaska’s largest crude oil producer, would be one of the most expansive oil drilling projects accepted in the past 20 years. It would take place in the North Slope Boroughs of Alaska, home of the native Alaskan Iñupiat people.

Supporters of the Willow Project praise it as an easy solution to Alaska’s growing unemployment problem. The project would drill around 180,000 barrels of crude oil per day and would create 2,500 jobs for Alaskan citizens if approved.

Opponents of the Willow project worry about the environmental impacts of the project, particularly on local wildlife habitats. If the project is approved, conservationists predict 9.2 million metric tons of harmful carbon emissions will be released every year from the oil drilling fields. Alaska’s glaciers are already melting at an alarming rate, so Alaskans should not have to worry about a new climate emergency.

We at The News believe the economic benefits of the Willow Project do not outweigh the devastating effects the plan will have on climate change.

Originally, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals placed an injunction against the Willow Project, and District Court Judge Sharon L. Gleason rejected former President Donald Trump’s approval of the project. In Gleason’s opinion, she noted the Interior Department’s Bureau of Land

Management conveniently did not estimate the amount of greenhouse gas emissions the project would create. While ConocoPhillips’ original plan involved the installation of five new drilling sites in Alaska; the newest version of the project proposes three drilling sites. This could eventually be brought down to two, pending a decision made by Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.

The new plan for three drilling sites has the support of Alaska’s three congressional members. However, members of local cities have voiced their concerns about the lasting effects the carbon emissions would have on their towns.

Nuiqsut, Alaska Mayor Mamie Pardue sent the Biden administration a 10-page letter outlining the danger the project poses to local residents and wildlife surrounding the project site. The project has the potential to change the Alas -

kan caribou migration patterns and make hunting more difficult for the surrounding areas.

Criticism of the Willow Project has run wild among Generation Z voters. #StopWillow has over 150 million views on TikTok, and a petition to deny the Willow Project on change.org has over 3 million signatures. Our generation will suffer the environmental effects of this project, so the Biden administration should listen to our voices and those of native Alaskans.

President Joe Biden has garnered major criticisms from environmental activist groups and supporters of his 2020 presidential election cycle. During his campaign for president, Biden promised he would not open any new oil or natural gas drilling sites on federal land. While he has already broken this promise multiple times, approving more new drilling permits than his pre -

Wesley Hammer/ The News

decessor, he can help right his wrongs by denying the Willow Project.

We at The News believe Biden should make good on his campaign promises and reject the Willow Project for the people who elected him.

If Biden and Haaland approve, the Willow Project will not take direct effect.

Construction of the drill sites would not be completed until 2025 at the earliest, and the project will face a gauntlet of legal challenges. Multiple environmentalist groups like Earthjustice have already vowed to fight the project in court in hopes of an injunction similar to the one placed on the project in 2020.

The approval of the Willow Project is a giant leap in the wrong direction for the future of clean and renewable energy. The Biden administration should deny the project before this ticking carbon bomb can explode.

Editorial Board

Contact Us 2609 University Station Murray State University Murray, Kentucky 42071-3301 MurrayStateNews.org

Dionte Berry Rebeca Mertins Chiodini Raleigh Hightower Jill Smith Editor-in-Chief Photography Editor Lifestyle Editor Assistant News Editor dberry11@murraystate.edu rmertinschiodini@murraystate.edu rhightower@murraystate.edu jsmith194@murraystate.edu

Emery Wainscott Shann Riley Dr. Carol Terracina-Hartman Will Groves Chief Copy Editor Graphic Designer Faculty Adviser Opinion Editor ewainscott@murraystate.edu sriley11@murraystate.edu cterracinahartman@murraystate.edu wgroves@murraystate.edu

Erinn Finley Jakob Milani Wesley Hammer Braylee Finck News Editor Sports Editor Editorial Cartoonist Ad Sales Representative efinley1@murraystate.edu jmilani@murraystate.edu khammer@murraystate.edu bfinck1@murraystate.edu

debate.

The News is an independent weekly student-run newspaper published at Murray State. The content does not reflect the opinions of the Murray State Journalism and Mass Communications Department.

Preview: Women’s basketball preps for Tourney

Ronan Summers Staff Writer rsummers6@murraystate.edu

The Racers have set their focus on the University of Evansville and the MVC Tournament after their road trip that started on Thursday, March 2 against the Valparaiso Beacons and ended on Saturday, March 4 against the UIC Flames.

Murray State split the weekend, picking up a 77-64 win over the Beacons and falling to the Flames 65-58. The Racers have an overall record of 14-15 this season with a conference record of 7-13 as they head into the MVC Tournament.

Their 7-13 conference record has the Racers slotted as the eighth seed in the tournament this year. Their first matchup will be against the University of Evansville Aces. The Aces are the ninth seed in the tournament with a conference record of 6-14.

The Aces struggled overall this year, going 11-18. This isn’t the time to underestimate an opponent, though: crazy things happen in the world of basketball in March.

The Racers fell to the Aces in

the first meeting between the two teams this season. The Aces picked up a 75-67 win over the Racers on Jan. 27. The Racers got payback, however, as they won the second meeting 80-60 on Feb. 12.

Evansville’s senior guard Abby Feit leads the Aces in points per game, averaging 15.6. She also averages 7.6 rebounds and one steal per game. In the last four games of the season for the Aces, Feit averaged 20 points and 8.75 rebounds. She’s heating up at the perfect time for her team.

Feit put up 26 points in the first matchup against the Racers and 11 in the second. If the Aces are to have a repeat of their first game against Murray State, Feit scoring 20+ would be a good start.

Aces senior guard Miya Clark, who is in her fifth year, is averaging 11.4 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game this season.

Redshirt junior center Barbora Tomancova has averaged 6.5 rebounds and 8.2 points a game for the Aces.

On the other side, junior forward Katelyn Young has led the way for the Racers and was named to the All MVC First-Team for this

season. She has averaged 21.3 points this season, shot 52% from the field and averaged 7.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists a game. In 29 games played, Young leads the MVC in points per game; the second highest scorer in the MVC has averaged 18.8 this season. Young also averages the fourth most rebounds in the conference.

Young is accompanied by redshirt senior guard Macey Turley, who averages 12 points, 3.2 assists and 2.9 rebounds a game. Turley is a Murray native and is nearing the end of her time as a Racer.

Redshirt senior forward Alexis Burpo also is a Murray native. She too is going into a collegiate conference tournament for the final time in her playing career. Burpo averages 4.5 points and 4.2 rebounds a game, playing about 19 minutes a game.

Redshirt senior Jordyn Hughes transferred to Murray State before this season and made an immediate impact. She has averaged 5.4 points per game while shooting 41% from the field. Hughes, like Turley and Burpo, is entering the final stretch of her collegiate career. She and the rest of the

seniors say they wish to delay their departure as much as possible. A tournament run would do just that.

Junior forward Hannah McKay averages 9.9 points and 6.6 rebounds a game for the Racers. She is Young’s rebounding partner in crime and has scored double-digit points in four of the last six games to end the regular season. Junior guard Bria Sanders-Woods has started in 21 of the 29 games she has played in, averaging 6.2 points and 2.3 assists a game.

It has been a rollercoaster type of season for the Racers. The switch to a new conference has come with its hiccups, but every team has a chance to win the MVC Tournament and punch their ticket into March Madness.

The tournament matchup between the Racers and Aces tips off at noon on Thursday, March 9 in Moline, Illinois. If the Racers win, they would play at noon on Friday, March 10 against top-seeded Illinois State. The winner of that game would go on to play at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 11. The championship will then be played at 1 p.m. on Sunday, March 12.

Pitching shines, bats falter against Wildcats

Jakob Milani

Sports Editor jmilani@murraystate.edu

Sixteen strikeouts was not enough for Murray State baseball as the team took a 6-2 loss at University of Kentucky on Tuesday, March 7.

The Racers’ pitching staff not only struck out 16 Wildcats in the game, but also walked only one batter. However, they gave up 11 hits which led to five runs batted in for Kentucky.

The first inning was a silent one for the Racers as they went down in order to the Wildcats’ starting pitcher, right-handed Travis Smith. Smith entered the game with a 2-0 record and a 2.66 ERA.

In the bottom of the first inning, Kentucky was able to strike first as sophomore infielder Émilien Pitre hit a two-run home run, bringing in senior infielder Jase Felker to make it 2-0 Wildcats.

Murray State put a run on the board in the top of the second as junior catcher Ethan Krizen hit a single up the left side to bring sophomore infielder Riley Hawthorne around third and to home plate.

The Racers tied the game up at two runs apiece in the third inning with a triple from graduate outfielder Brennan McCullough that allowed

sophomore outfielder Dustin Mercer to make his way home.

Freshman left-handed pitcher Ethan Lyke got the start for the Racers in the one-game series. Despite giving three hits and two runs in the first, he remained on the bump for the next five innings for Murray State.

Lyke was the primary contributor to the Racers’ high strikeout number against the Wildcats, striking out nine batters over five innings of play. Eight of those K’s came after the first inning, including three strikeouts in the bottom of the third inning.

All looked good for Lyke until the sixth inning, where he gave up back-to-back singles and was pulled from the game. He gave up six hits and walked just one of the 23 batters he faced.

After forcing a throwing error from stealing third, Pitre ran home to put the Wildcats up 3-2 in the bottom of the sixth, with the run unearned.

Two innings later, senior infielder Hunter Gilliam hit a triple into left field, allowing Pitre and sophomore catcher Devin Burkes to score, extending the Wildcats’ lead to three runs.

It didn’t take long for Gilliam to reach home as the very next batter, sophomore outfielder Ryan Waldschmidt, singled up

the middle of the infield. Gilliam touched home plate and put the Wildcats up 6-2 heading into the top of the ninth.

The Racers’ dreams ended quickly in the ninth as all three batters went down in order. Murray State left Kentucky Proud Park with its ninth loss of the season.

McCullough, Hawthorne and Krizen were the only Racers with hits, as the team had just three hits. Murray State drew four walks while striking out 11 times

and leaving five runners on base.

Pitre and Gilliam led the Wildcats in hits in the game, with both players going 3-4 at the plate. They both also had two RBIs. Murray State drops to 4-9 on the season with two weeks before conference play begins. The Racers play host to the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Panthers in a three-game series next. Game one will be played on Friday, March 10, with first pitch set for 3 p.m.

Rebeca Mertins Chiodini/The News

Junior forward Katelyn Young was named to the All-MVC First Team for her efforts in the 2022-23 season for the Racers.

Rebeca Mertins Chiodini/The News

Freshman left-handed pitcher Ethan Lyke strikes out nine batters in the loss to the UK Wildcats.

Ronan Summers Staff Writer rsummers6@murraystate.edu

Redshirt senior infielder Gracie Osbron received the Pepsi Athlete of the Week award after her performance at the 2023 Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament.

Osbron recorded six hits, eight RBIs, three stolen bases, three runs and a walk in four games over the weekend.

Murray State traveled to Starkville, Mississippi to play five games in the Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament. Of those five games, the Racers played twice against Dartmouth College and Mississippi State and once against Abilene Christian.

The first game of the tournament came against the Dartmouth Big Green on Friday. Freshman infielder Ailey Schyck got the Racers on the board first after hitting a two-run home run to center field. Schyck drove in redshirt senior infielder Lindsey Carroll, who got on base by a fielding error.

Freshman outfielder Bailey Broemmer then homered to center field. The Racers added two more runs that inning to go up 5-0 at the end of the second inning. Dartmouth scored a run in the fourth and fifth innings to close the gap, but Murray State scored twice more in the sixth inning to distance themselves and pick up the 7-2 win to start the tournament.

Redshirt junior pitcher Jenna Veber got the win for the Racers. She allowed seven hits, two runs and no walks while striking out four batters as she pitched all seven innings.

Sophomore outfielder Erin Lackey scored two runs in the win over the Big Green. She was 1-2 at the plate with two walks. Osbron hit two doubles and ended up with a run, three RBIs and a walk. Freshman utility player Adison Hicks went 2-3 as well. Broemmer hit a home run and a double, recording two runs and an RBI.

The Racers then went on to play again on Friday, this time against

the Abilene Christian Wildcats. Murray State got an early lead after Carroll hit a double to drive in redshirt junior infielder Lily Fischer in the second inning.

Murray State added onto the lead after Osbron hit a three-run homer to center field to increase the Racers’ lead to 4-0 after the end of the third inning. The Racers scored two more runs in the seventh inning before the Wildcats were able to put their first point on the board that same inning. The Racers won the game 6-1.

Redshirt senior pitcher Hannah James got the win for the Racers. She pitched all seven innings while allowing five hits, a run and a walk. James struck seven Wildcat batters out in the win.

Broemmer scored twice in the win over the Wildcats. She had a single and reached first base off an error. Osbron’s homer gave her three RBIs, and she also had a stolen base. Lackey totaled two hits and a run in four at-bats.

Murray State’s success carried over to Saturday, March 4 as the Racers played Dartmouth once again to start the second day of the tournament. Lackey got on base to start off the bottom of the first inning, which set up Osbron to drive her in after hitting a single.

The next run for the Racers came in the third inning after Fischer hit a sacrifice groundout to drive Hicks in, giving the Racers a 2-0 lead.

The Big Green scored once in the sixth inning but was not able to match the Racers’ runs, and Murray State ultimately won the matchup 2-1.

Freshman pitcher Bre Haislip received the win after pitching five innings. She allowed two hits and a run while striking out four batters.

The Racers only had three hits in the game, but that was all they needed. Lackey, Osbron and Broemmer were all able to record a hit.

Murray State then played in its second game on Saturday against the host of the tournament, the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

The game was scoreless until the fifth inning, where the Bulldogs committed three errors. Those errors resulted in a pair of Racer runs to give Murray State a 2-0 lead. Murray State got another unearned run in the sixth before Fischer homered to go up 4-0.

The Bulldogs homered in the seventh inning, but that was all they could muster up, as the Racers won 4-1. Veber pitched all seven innings for the Racers, allowing seven hits and a run while striking out two batters. Murray State had three hits and three walks.

The Racers and Bulldogs played once more on the following day. The Sunday, March 5 matchup between the two teams went differently.

Murray State got on the board first in the fourth inning after Fischer hit a single that drove Osbron in. Schyck hit a single later in the inning to drive Fischer in as the Racers had a 2-0 lead.

Mississippi State responded, scoring three runs in the fifth inning to take the lead. Osbron hit a double

down the left field line to drive in Lackey, who doubled herself earlier in the inning. This tied the game up at 3. After Osbron’s double that sent the game into extra innings, Mississippi State was able to hit a walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Bulldogs a 5-3 win.

Haislip received the loss after coming in at the start of the eighth inning and allowing the two-run walk-off home run.

Lackey went 3-4 with a run in the loss. Osbron went 2-4 with a run and a RBI. Carroll went 2-4 from the plate and Fischer had a hit, a run and an RBI.

The Racers host the Racer Classic, which will take place at Racer Field on Friday, March 10 and Saturday, March 11.

The Racers play the Youngstown State Penguins at 3 p.m. on Friday and 12:30 p.m. on Saturday. They also play the Illinois State Redbirds at 12:30 p.m. on Friday and 3 p.m. on Saturday.

Shann Riley/The News

Photo courtesy of Furst Edition Photography

Junior Jamari Smith, basketball

Rebeca Mertins Chiodini/The News Sophomore infielder Erin Lackey records one of her seven hits at the Alex Wilcox Memorial Tournament.

Wellness Center sponsors suicide prevention walk

MacKenzie Rogers Staff Writer mrogers42@murraystate.edu

With hopes to raise awareness of suicide, a life walk for suicide prevention is set for April 15.

A “Life Walk” is meant to represent continuing on with one’s life, regardless of what is coming or has happened, no matter how extreme.

Wellness Center employee and walk organizer Sean Slusher said suicide prevention is important to him.

“With the rise of teenage and college student suicide each year, I just want to make sure that the awareness is out there,” Slusher said. “It’s a personal thing for me, as I’ve got my own stuff that I struggle with every day. I don’t want to see anybody else have the same kind of emotions that I’ve got and have it lead to suicide.”

The idea for the suicide prevention walk has been in the making since October 2022.

“[A counselor] asked me if I did anything with the community regarding this particular issue, and I was like, ‘I don’t,’ and then I thought to myself, ‘maybe I should,’” Slusher said. “I want to bring as much awareness to the issue as needed, as it’s been an issue that’s been swept under the rug. Too many people have died because of [suicide], and they shouldn’t have.”

The prevention walk is sponsored by the Wellness Center. All donations raised are for the Department of Psychology and Check-A-Vet, an organization focused on preventing suicide for veterans through suicide awareness.

“This is the first time I’ve ever planned an event,” Slusher said. “I’ve never done anything like this before. This is a learning experience for me and for

future events because I have other ideas for the future. I know I’m not going to be able to stop the issue from happening, but I want to let people know that there is help, even if you don’t have any kind of a safety net.”

The walk is estimated to be 1.67 miles, beginning at the Wellness Center and traveling along Chestnut Street and North 12th Street before returning back to the Wellness Center.

Slusher said the walk should take around 30 minutes.

“We’re going to walk down to North 12th Street,” Slusher said. “That’s the most important area that I’m worried about because that’s the busiest street. The whole town drives it. Everybody’s going to see what’s happening. I’m going to encourage signs too so that people in the cars can see what’s happening and know that they don’t have to give in to suicide.”

While signs are not being provided, Slusher encourages attendees to create their own and make them as colorful as possible but asks no sign to have vulgar language on them.

“I don’t want anything negative,” Slusher said. “That’s the last thing the walk needs. You know, this is already a dark subject in the first place. We don’t need to add anything else to it.”

Slusher shared he was interested in raising funds to put toward getting a television commercial ad that spreads suicide awareness. He hopes to have this ad run during every commercial break.

“I’m looking ahead to see if there’s any way that we can get suicide hotlines on television,” Slusher said. “Just a regular, maybe 15-second ad on every single commercial break. That way, you know, it’s seen by everybody because it affects everybody.”

The inspiration for the walk,

Slusher says, comes from Live Aid, a benefit concert held in 1985 that helped raise awareness of the famine ravaging Ethiopia. The concert managed to raise $127 million.

“[Live Aid] was held by Bob Geldof,” Slusher said. “He is one of my biggest heroes in life. …I look at him and look at the organization now and was like, why can’t there be something like that for suicide victims and suicide?”

Anyone interested in attending the walk or donating can do so at suicidepreventionawareness.godaddysites.com.

If you are dealing with suicidal thoughts, call the 24-hour national crisis lifeline at 988 or text the crisis line at 741741.

You can also visit the Counseling Center, which has a counselor on call for crisis situations from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday during the academic year. All services are confidential and free.

New restaurant opening promotes healthy eating

Raleigh Hightower

Lifestyle Editor

rhightower@murraystate.edu

In order to promote healthy eating and to diversify the local food scene, a Murray State alumnus and his family have opened a co-branded location of the food franchises Frutta Bowls and Saladworks in Murray.

The new restaurant, which is located on 506 N. 12th St., is owned by Gregory Barnes. Barnes attended Murray State for both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, studying business and project management, and has been working in the outdoor recreation industry ever since.

Barnes says he was partly motivated to open the restaurant after learning how limited options for healthy eating are in the area through the special dietary needs of one of his daughters, Allison Barnes, according to the restaurant’s opening press release.

Gregory decided to open and run the restaurant alongside his 18-year-old daughter Avery Barnes. Ahead of the March 1 opening, Gregory handled the restaurant’s finances and day-to-day operations while Avery handled the hiring and service.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to bring a Frutta Bowls and Saladworks to the community

we love so much,” Barnes said in the opening press release. “Healthy eating has been a centerpiece of our family, and it is important to us to provide not only healthy but delicious meal options to the people of Murray who deserve an array of flavorful options.”

Frutta Bowls describes itself as a “superfood cafe” with a menu centered around açai, pitaya and kale bowls. The menu allows customers

to customize their own bowl from a selection of ingredients. In addition to bowls, the restaurant also features smoothies, toasts and “protein bites,” which contain cinnamon, granola, honey and whey protein powder.

The other half of the restaurant, Saladworks, has a menu that features 12 signature salads and also gives guests the option to customize their own salad. The menu

and customization options were designed to specifically appeal to those on vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian and other special diets. Those interested can visit the restaurant’s location and try either the Frutta Bowls or the Saladworks menu.

Diner can also join the Frutta Bowls rewards program for special deals by downloading the Frutta Bowls app.

Photo courtesy of scbarchitects.com

The Susan E. Bauernfeind Student Recreation and Wellness Center will serve as the starting point for the suicide prevention walk.

Emma Fisher/The News

Gregory and Avery Barnes stand alongside friends, family and investors at the grand opening of Frutta Bowls and Saladworks on March 1.

Local drag performer speaks out on anti-drag bill

Raleigh Hightower Lifestyle Editor rhightower@murraystate.edu

Senate Bill 115 was introduced into the Kentucky General Assembly on Feb. 10. The bill, which is aimed at “adult-oriented businesses,” would place severe limitations on where drag performances can take place.

The bill’s primary sponsor, Sen. Lindsey Tichenor (R- Oldham County) introduced the bill as an attempt to keep “adult-oriented performances” 1,000 feet away from places where children might be, such as schools, churches and parks.

Murray drag performer and Graves County native Diana Tunnel said this bill could have devastating effects on the local drag community.

“This particular bill would all but end drag shows in the state,” Tunnel said. “If this bill passes, there isn’t a place in this county I could produce a show. Unless anyone wants to lend me a few generators and a corn field.”

Tunnel said she became involved with drag after earning her Bachelor of Science in theater from Murray State and moving to Chicago.

“When I lived in Chicago, I was fresh out of theater school and trying to find a design job,” Tunnel said. “What they don’t tell you is that every theater wants you to work for free while you balance a full-time job to pay your bills. I had always been a fan of drag, and I wanted to keep my skills sharp, so I entered a 2 a.m. drag contest at a bar down the street from where I lived.”

Drag performances can take many different forms and can include a wide variety of entertainment to audience

members, Tunnel said.

“Just like plays, stand-up comedy, movies or TV shows, some shows are for adults only, some are appropriate for all ages and some are catered to young audiences,” Tunnel said. “The setting and content change accordingly.”

One of Tunnel’s primary concerns regarding SB 115 was the effect the legislation would have on transgender people.

“First, I want to address that while this bill is discussing drag shows, the language around clothing is a clear attack on trans people,” Tunnel said.

“Drag queens are just very glamorous clowns when it comes down to it. We are people who like to express ourselves through art and performance.”

After six years of performing, Tunnel says drag performances are an important part of many people’s identities, and bills like SB 115 threaten that.

“Drag shows are more than just entertainment,” Tunnel said. “They are a place where queer and trans people can feel safe—safe from judgment and ridicule. But this

bill would affect real life people who are just trying to live their lives in an authentic and honest way.”

Tunnel also expressed disappointment in Rep. Mary Beth Imes, who represents Calloway and Trigg Counties, and Sen. Jason Howell, who represents Calloway, Graves and Marshall counties, for their support of SB 115.

“These actions and these bills are with the deliberate intention to cause harm to real people, their constituents,” Tunnel said. “Also, fighting culture wars and banning drag shows is easier than doing their actual job. Filling potholes on Fourth Street, fixing contaminated water pipes, funding schools… They don’t want to do the work that makes people’s lives tangibly better.”

In regards to fellow Kentuckians who might misunderstand drag performers and support SB 115, Tunnel encourages open-mindedness and said legislative priorities should lie elsewhere.

“We aren’t dangerous people,” Tunnel said “We don’t want to turn anyone gay or make more drag queens—trust me, the market is oversaturated. …It’s asinine that we are wasting legislative hours on this. Housing the homeless seems much more worthwhile.”

SB 115 is one of several bills under consideration in the Kentucky General Assembly that will affect the LGBTQ+ community.

Those with concerns over the legislation are encouraged to reach out to Murray Pride at @murraykypride on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

You can also reach out to your legislator and request a meeting with them to voice your concerns. Howell can be reached at jason.howell@lrc.ky.gov.

Imes can be contacted at marybeth. imes@lrc.ky.gov. You can also call 502564-8100 to leave a message.

Departments across campus seek student workers

Erinn Finley News Editor efinley1@murraystate.edu

Colleges and universities may offer on-campus jobs to help students gain experience and earn money.

Murray State currently has multiple job opportunities for students who need to boost their income.

Matthew Purdy, director of Career Services, said student employees form an important part of Murray State.

“Speaking for our department, our student workers—we call them peer career advisers—are truly the face of the unit,” Purdy said. “They are typically the first to greet visitors, in person or on the phone, answer emails, help with resume reviews and even give presentations to other students and families.”

Ideally students would find a position that complements their future career goals, Purdy said.

“You may not always find a direct correlation to a future position, but if you can find something even tangentially related, that would help in future professional development,” Purdy said.

Sophomore exercise science major Emily Enoch works in the Student Affairs office.

She said although the job does not connect to her future career plans, some parts of the job she can use in her day-to-day life.

“I talk to students and faculty on the phone and try to problem solve on the spot,” Enoch said. “It has improved my professionalism and has eased my anxiety about talking to random people over the phone.”

Most departments are accommodating of student schedules, although the University limits students’ hours to a maximum of 20 hours per week, Purdy said.

Enoch also highlighted how helpful flexible scheduling can be.

“This on-campus job has given me so many opportunities to meet new people and build connections with staff that will help with networking in the future,” Enoch said. “I really enjoy working a student job because of the flexibility. They work around my school responsibilities and other commitments I may have.”

Compared to working retail, Enoch said her current job is calmer.

“I have more time to focus on my studies while at work when I am a student worker,” Enoch said. “In high school, the job was very chaotic, and I had no free time to work on schoolwork. Also, the management was far less organized than on-campus management.”

Purdy said while every job will have its nuances, it’s important to consider the soft skills a department may look for in employees, such as having good customer service skills and communication.

“Students should think like the department they are applying [or] interviewing with and think about what they can bring to that particular unit and be prepared to express those skills in an interview or conversation with the department,” Purdy said.

Enoch said she recommends students apply for an on-campus job.

“The skills you will learn and the connections you will make can often be used in positions after college,” Enoch said. “Some common skills you will learn … include communication, problem solving, customer service, time management and leadership.”

Purdy also suggests that if a student is curious about a different part of the department they work in, they should ask to gain exposure to that side of the operation.

“Look for ways to improve things and ask your supervisor for regular meetings to receive coaching and feedback,” Enoch said.

Sophomore journalism major Ania Boutin had a slightly different perspective on what to look for in a student job.

Although her student job as an administrative assistant to assistant professor Geoffrey Luurs in the organizational communication department does not connect to her future career goals, she said she really enjoys the work.

“It’s very stress free because [Luurs] is a very supportive person to work under,” Boutin said. “He’s very understanding of student workload and time constraints.”

Boutin recommends any students looking for a campus job consider who your boss and coworkers will be because having a supportive boss makes all the difference.

If students are interested in finding a student position, they can check on murraystate.edu/career or murraystate.joinhandshake.com for the latest information on campus employment opportunities.

Photo courtesy of Diana Tunnel

Diana Tunnel is a local drag queen who performs in and hosts several drag shows in Murray.

Rebeca Mertins Chiodini/The News

Winslow Dining Hall is one of several locations on campus where students interested in seeking employment can find work.